2014 Darkness: On Tap

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by maximum12, Oct 28, 2014.

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  1. mypenguin

    mypenguin Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2009 Minnesota

    I'm an idiot and didn't refresh to see the post 2 above mine. Oh well. Happy Halloween anyway.
     
  2. mothman

    mothman Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,016) Jun 21, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just wondering if any places around bloomington, slp, uptown area had darkness on tap. Meeting some buddies for happy hour and would like more darkness!
     
  3. MattyG85

    MattyG85 Initiate (0) Aug 31, 2010 Minnesota

    The Depot Tavern just tapped some.
     
  4. igor

    igor Crusader (425) Nov 7, 2009 Minnesota

    Lions Pub in DT just tapped a keg of Darkness. From the taste it's not the BA. Still delicious.
     
  5. HoudiniRN

    HoudiniRN Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2014 Minnesota

    [​IMG]
    From the looks of it - It should be easy for an establishment to determine whether it is BA or not...
     
  6. Rajaholick

    Rajaholick Zealot (678) Jan 9, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    Didn't ask the server but it tastes like the barrel aged version at lyndale tap House. 10oz for $7
     
  7. Stimulus199

    Stimulus199 Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2013 Minnesota

    Barrel aged keg $1 per ounce at old chicago apple valley. Fml.
     
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  8. DaveAnderson

    DaveAnderson Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2011 Minnesota

    Aside from Darkness Day, I have had it on tap three times: Moose on Monroe, Downtown Pizza Lucé, and Bulldog NE. Bulldog NE was quite obviously non-BA, and the other two were definitely BA.
     
  9. DoctorRock

    DoctorRock Zealot (631) May 13, 2010 Minnesota

    Went to sunshine factory and can confirm it was NOT BA Darknesss. Its not hard people...
     
  10. nograz

    nograz Maven (1,424) Oct 30, 2013 Minnesota
    Trader

    I swear, this has never happened before
     
  11. Curt1

    Curt1 Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2010 Minnesota

    So I just cracked a bottle of 2014 BA Darkness and it tasted like a shadow of what was on tap at Dday. Anyone else notice the same?

    BA Darkness on tap at Dday (1PM keg) was damn good - very strong barrel flavor, strong booze heat, rye, and was noticeably less sweet than previous Darkness vintages.

    Dakness tap at Luce (BA or not) didn't have much of any barrel notes, wasn't booze hot at all, carbonation seemed low too, and tasted much sweeter. -Tasted more like previous Darkness vintages?

    2014 BA Darkness bottle I opened last night tasted identical to the Darkness at Luce.

    IDK Thoughts?
     
  12. Atom13

    Atom13 Crusader (438) Jun 29, 2010 Minnesota
    Trader

    Beer is the same your palate may not.
     
  13. mothman

    mothman Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,016) Jun 21, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The darkness from the first keg at d day was awesome! Hoping the other kegs and bottles are as good
     
  14. MNBeerGeek

    MNBeerGeek Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2013 Minnesota

    @Curt1, I had the exact same experience! That one on tap at Darkness kinda blew me away. Cracked a bottle and was down right disappointed. Sure lots of things play into this and I'll give the bottle another shot, but it was nowhere near what was on tap.
     
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  15. Rajaholick

    Rajaholick Zealot (678) Jan 9, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    I wasn't really blown away or anything from the BA darkness I had on tap at lyndale tap house. It was much smoother than what I expected given Surly's in your face attitude in most of their beers. I thought there would be more "heat"
    I'll be doing a tasting with many BA stouts over thanksgiving (couple Jackie O's stouts, KBS, Black Note, BCBBW, BCBS, BCBCS, Itaska Loonidragon) so we'll see how it stacks up.
     
  16. OrionsHunt

    OrionsHunt Zealot (584) Jul 17, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    Had it on tap at DD and a bunch of us shared a bottle last night. Granted it was after 7 Sucre variants, but the bottle version tasted good to me. Maybe we were too busy laughing at the Charlie Murphy skit while drinking it, but at least 4 of the people that split the bottle last night also had it on tap and nobody mentioned it was inferior to the DD draft version.
     
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  17. MNBeerGeek

    MNBeerGeek Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2013 Minnesota

    Well that is good @ryanfolty. I did chalk it up to my tastebuds being off when I opened the bottle. I hope that is, in fact, the case.
     
  18. MNPikey

    MNPikey Pooh-Bah (1,693) Feb 27, 2011 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm drinking my first bottle right now and you can taste the barrels flavors without a doubt. Yesterday, I thought for sure I was drinking BA Darkness at the Sunshine Factory because it tasted way different than previous year's Darkness. Darkness is usually very hoppy when fresh and I didn't get that at all. It was also much sweeter. Maybe they did change the recipe up a bit this year?

     
  19. biglobo8971

    biglobo8971 Initiate (0) May 6, 2010 Minnesota

    Anyone know of a place south of the river still pouring it?
     
  20. Otis32

    Otis32 Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2011 Minnesota

    Was on and fantastic at Washington Square 3-hours ago. BA per palate and confirmed with bartender. Small keg per bartender also so not sure how long it will last.
     
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